MINI NEWSLETTER #40.1 DECEMBER, 1992
CANADIAN MUSEUM OF FLIGHT AND TRANSPORTATION 12527 Crescent Road, Surrey, BC, V4P 1J5 Phone (604) 535-1115 FAX (604) 535-3292
CF-AWR THE BIG BELLANCA (66-70 AIRCRUISER), by Robert Bradford. This beautiful and authentic Limited Edited art print (850 total), individually signed by the artist and by famous bush pilot Stan McMillan is stocked at the Museum’s gift shop. Price $145.00 plus taxes and shipping
Season’s Greetings
A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON TO ALL
This newsletter will not reach you before Christmas, but please accept our belated wishes for a happy and safe holiday season.
Thanks to each and every one of you for your continued support, encouragement and involvement. We’ve come a long way from the time that the idea of creating an aviation museum was only an idea. We still have a way to go to secure that dream, but we are getting there.
Many friendships made during our mutual efforts to preserve our aviation aviation heritage for everyone’s benefit will last a lifetime.
We made the best of 1992, which was not a banner year, and look forward to a much better 1993.
GIFT MEMBERSHIPS
If each member brought in one new member, the Museum’s income would increase dramatically. Additionally, the Museum would have twice the number of goodwill ambassadors.
Buy a young person, a family member or a friend a gift membership, or persuade a friend to join. Those members who become active in the operation and management have the opportunity of helping to create a lasting legacy for the future, while those many people who for one reason or another must limit themselves to being supportive members only can have the satisfaction of knowing their membership is really important.
There are friends to be made, events to attend, and a museum to build. Let’s work together to get on with it!
HAMPDEN PROGRESS
Fred and Edna Gardham took a much deserved six week vacation, during which time the Hampden project was “on hold”. The left rear centre section is now back on site, and will be mated to the wing/fuselage when weather permits.
1993 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
- FRIDAY FEB 12
- GENERAL MEETING/DINNER AT YIC’S King George Hwy & 104th, Surrey (See notice elsewhere for times)
- FRIDAY APR 16
- ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING/DINNER Yic’s, Surrey Election of new directors.
- SATURDAY MAY 15
- SEASON’S OPENING
Other events will be announced in future “Minis”.
MINT LINK TRAINER RECEIVED
CMFT has just received an early IFR model Link Trainer from the Port Coquitlam Air Cadets. It’s a good one well preserved and very original, and we are very pleased to add it to our collection.
CMFT NOT SHUT DOWN!
Contrary to what a recent Vancouver Sun article on the DC3 being moved from Cloverdale to Langley stated, we are not shut down. As so often happens, we were once again confused with the B.C. Transportation Museum in Cloverdale, which was shut down in June of this year.
We’re still on Crescent Road near Crescent Beach where we always have been. On winter hours of 10-4 Friday, Saturday and Sunday, to be sure, but very much alive. Don’t give up on the CMFT.
BINGO!
Application has been made for a regular Bingo event to provide much needed income, and the CMFT is now on the waiting list of several halls. We have no way of knowing how long it will be before our name comes up, or what our time slot will be. When it does come up, we will have to provide several people once a week for several hours to help run the event. Please phone in your offer to Rose at 535-1115 (or leave a message on the answering machine), or drop us a note if you can help out.
Inky Klett and Mark Zalesky dismantle Waco INF CF- CJR at the now defunct BC Transportation Museum where it has been on loan for several years. It is now in safe winter storage.
A GIFT FOR THE MUSEUM
There is still time to send a Tax Deductible donation to the Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation. Make it in any amount that you can spare, and please advise if it is to be used for general operations, or applied to a dedicated fund.
The “Exhibit Shelter fund is the most pressing one right now. It has nearly enough to cover the cost of building a temporary shelter for several of the more fragile aircraft in the collection.
Other funds include the “Adopt an Airplane” which provides for regular maintenance and cleaning of aircraft on exhibit, the “Restoration of Aircraft” fund allows you to choose any aircraft or vehicle in the Museum’s inventory, whether or not it is on display, and accumulates funds towards its restoration.
There is also the “Homesite” fund which would be used to cover costs of pursuing relocation or a lease for the present site.
A TAX DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT IS ISSUED FOR ALL DONATIONS OF $10.00 OR MORE, BUT THE DONATION HAS TO BE POST MARKED BY DEC. 31ST TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A 1992 RECEIPT.
TRUSTS. WILLS AND BEQUESTS
There are many ways that you can help the Museum and still have the use of your assets for your lifetime one being the establishment of a Trust through any of the major Trust companies.
A few members have, during their lifetime mentioned that they planned to make provision for a bequest to the Museum in their Will, but have passed on without actually doing so. In some cases, there were no living relatives and the estate went to the government through the Public Trustee, ending up in government general revenues.
If you really want to provide for a lasting legacy in your memory, take the time to make the arrangements with your attorney, and advise the CMFT so that we can follow through.
AVIATION BOOK LIST
The Museum’s gift shop has, an extensive selection of books on every aviation subject, including historical, technical, biographical, educational, comic, children’s and paper model books, and at prices ranging from $1.00 on up.
See the enclosed list of books on hand as of December 16. If you want a book you don’t see on the list, please write or ask for it. We’ll try to obtain it for you.
This newsletter will arrive too late to get them for Christmas, but in plenty of time to stock up for winter reading.
Be sure to order a copy of the Museum’s new book “PIONEERING AVIATION IN THE WEST” at $22.95 plus taxes and postage. Based on more than 75 interviews with local aviation pioneers, it tells the story of aviation in far western Canada through quotations and lots of photos.
“GUIDE TO THE COLLECTION:, the 105 page booklet compiled by Rose Zalesky and Jerry Vernon, lists and describes the Museum’s collection of aircraft in our collection, including those on display, those held in storage, and those in process of restoration. Only $8.95 per copy. (less 10% to members), plus GST and postage.
LOTS OF GOODIES IN THE GIFT SHOP
There are more than 2,000 aviation related items for sale in the gift shop, ranging from post cards to posters to limited edition aviation art prints, children’s educational and just plain fun toys, kites, a great selection of aircraft models (plastic, balsa and paper) books, puzzles, tee shirts, sweat shirts, jackets, key chains, jewellery and much more.
Members (except Friend) get a 10% discount on most items.
LAPEL PINS, KEY CHAINS, WOVEN CRESTS, STICKERS, DECALS, BUMPER STICKERS, CHILDREN’S TOYS, “INSTANT BALSA OR FOAM FLYING AIRPLANES.
WE HAVE A GREAT SELECTION OF AVIATION ORIENTED GIFT ITEMS (FOR YOUR AVIATION MINDED FRIEND OR AS A TREAT FOR YOURSELF. REASONABLE PRICES
CHILDREN’S LEATHER(ETTE) FLIGHT JACKETS
Authentic looking “leather” bomber jackets are in stock in sizes 4 through 16. These have “shearling” collars, cuffs and pockets and a “bailout map” lining just like the real thing. A synthetic thermal inner lining provides cozy warmth, and the leather-look synthetic shell is water resistant. They come complete several good. quality woven patches.
Kids of all ages love them.
Price sizes 4, 6, and 8 $47.95 + taxes
size 10, 12, 14, 16 $49.95 + taxes
GIFT SHOP WINTER HOURS
New winter hours for the Gift Shop are 10 AM 4 PM FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ONLY. EXHIBITS ARE CLOSED UNTIL MAY, 1993
VISITORS EXPERTISE NEEDED
1992 wasn’t the greatest year, but it could have been worse. During the 1992 April 29th through October 31st season we had a total of 11,071 visitors, including special events. This total also includes 2/1 tickets, complementary and member visitors. Compare these figures with 1986 through 1988 where we had over 17,000 visitors each year.
Other sources of revenue are membership fees, a few cash donations, the odd rental to the movie industry, and the profit share from the Abbotsford Air Show souvenir sales not much in the way of income and not enough to budget for much promotion.
We take advantage any free listings we know of in tourist and aviation oriented publications. As members of the Surrey Chamber of Commerce we are also listed on the tourist map at the Peace Arch border crossing. Membership in the Vancouver Tourism Association puts us on their tourist maps as well. We try to distribute our brochures in key places, and enjoy some free publicity for our special events, but a lot more to promote the museum and its cause could be done and thereby increase the number of visitors.
Many opportunities exist for free advertising, and to promote more special events to dramatically increase attendance and income. We can’t hire a person to do this work at this time, and it cannot be done efficiently by the already overworked volunteers and part time staff.
Surely there is someone out there who has the expertise and the caring to take on the task? If you don’t have the expertise, but have good organizational skills and time, there is still a great deal that can be done to help ourselves. Any offers?
MORE DELAYS ON “THE BOOK”
We have been assured by the publisher that “Pioneering Aviation in the West” will arrive in time for distribution about January 10th. Our apologies to those who were hoping to get the book in time for Christmas giving. All prepaid orders on hand will be filled at the prices advertised at the time your order was accepted. Current price for this 300+ page (soft cover) book with lots of historic photos is $22.95 $1.61 GST + $1.69 postage allowance for a total of $26.25. Members are entitled to a 10% discount.
GENERAL MEETING DATE CHANGE
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE JANUARY GENERAL MEETING/DINNER HAS BEEN MOVED TO FEBRUARY TO AVOID THE POST-CHRISTMAS DOLDRUMS, AND PERHAPS BAD WEATHER.
THE NEW MEETING / DINNER DATE:
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH
AT YIC’S SURREY. DINNER IS STILL $12 IF YOU RESERVE AHEAD.
NO-HOST BAR AT 6:00
DINNER AT 7:00
MEETING AT 8:00.
DOOR PRIZES AS USUAL
GUEST SPEAKER
ON A SAD NOTE
It is with deep sadness that we announce the recent passing of member and volunteer COLIN HAMILTON, from a very rare and rapidly progressing disease which attacks the brain.
Colin came in two or three days a week for several years to identify and catalogue all the photographs provided by members and friends of Museum events and daily operations dating back to the Museum’s inception. He got to know many of the members and volunteers by sight from working with their photos.
Always cheerful and willing, he was a valued member of the ‘tore team” of volunteers, and is sorely missed.
MEMBERSHIP DUES DUE?
PLEASE CHECK THE TOP RIGHT CORNER OF YOUR ADDRESS LABEL FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP EXPIRY DATE.
If it is due, or past due, please send in your renewal cheque or money order. There have been no increases in rates for many years. In fact, rates are reduced because the Museum absorbs the cost of the GST. As a reminder rates are:
- GENERAL (All privileges) $20
- FRIEND: (Free admission, voting privelege but no gift shop discount) $10
- LIFETIME: (All privileges for life) $300 For Lifetime Memberships only, a TAX DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT is issued for your donation of $300, and a complementary lifetime membership is provided at no charge)
Dec 4, 1992. The Nelson Dragonfly (Bowlus Bumblebee) on its way to long term storage after being moved from the now defunct BC Transporation Museum, on December 4, by Inky Klett, Ed and Mark Zalesky.